Container for granular depolarizers and process of making the same



Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

GEORGE W. HEISE Am) RAYMOND FATE NT OFFICE.

o. BENNER, or BAYSILDLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS 'ro NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NET/V YORK. I

CONTAINER FOR GRANUL'AR DEPOLARIZERS AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Gnoncn W. Helen and RAYMOND C. BENNER, citizens of the United States,'residing at Bayside, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Containers for Granular Depolarizers and Processes of Making the Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in perforated containers for granular depolarizing compositions, and comprises the provision of convenient and effective means for preventing the depolarizer, from sifting through the perforations. In the preferred form of the invention, this result is accomplished by coating or lining the container with a material which will accomplish this result and also produce a beneficial effect in the cell.

According to one embodiment of the present method, as applied to cells of the zinccaustic alkali-copper oxide type, sulfur is used to prevent loss of the depolarizer. The perforated container may be dipped into molten sulfur, withdrawn, drained, and the sulfur allowed to harden. A thin, tenacious film of sulfur is thus formed upon the container surface. This effectively prevents escape of the granular depolarizer during the period of handling and storage.

Upon immersion in the caustic electrolyte the sulfur rapidly dissolves. After assembly it is not necessary that the perforations should be closed for the purpose stated, and the ready removal of the closing means is desirable to permit unimpeded access of the electrolyte to the depolarizer.

The beneficial effect of adding sulfur to copper oxide cells is well known in the art, and the method described is convenient for making the addition, while securing the further result of retaining the depolarizer during the pre-service period.

Instead of elemental sulfur, an electrolytesoluble sulfur compound may be applied to the container. It is desirable to use sulfurcontaining compounds which are not hygroscopic and which may be applied to the container in fused condition. For example,

. be applied either Application filed December 12,1922. Serial No. 606,520.

ammonium sulfate is satisfactory. The beneficial effects ofthis salt are described inan application filed by George W. Heise on December 14, 1921, Serial No. 522,423.

In another form of the invention,the perforated container may be coated or lined with an alkali-soluble metal, such as Zinc or aluminum. Any suitable method for applying the metal to the container may be adopted, including spraying, electroplating, galvanizing, or use of metal foil. The metal should be applied in as thin a layer as is consistent with the secure retention of the depolarizer, so that rapid solution of the metal may take place when thecontainer is immersed in the electrolyte. No difiiculty is found in practice in securing the practically immediate solution of a zinc layer, for example, and the electrolytic action of the cell is .not detrimentally affected by the initial presence of zinc upon the cathode.

It is known that the addition of an alkali metal zincate to the caustic electrolyte is desirable, especially because of the reduction of zinc corrosion on open circuit. The zincate formed by solution of the zinc layer is therefore an advantageous ingredient of the electrolyte.

In another form of the invention, wood pulp or wood fiber is used to fill the perforations in the container. Such material may before or after shaping the container. An adhesive may be applied to the metal to hold the pulp is position, or a fluent mixture of pulp and an adhevise may be distributed upon the metal and allowed to harden thereon. forming the coating is by spraying the container with such a fluent composition.

A coating or lining of wood pulp, linely divided wood, or polarizcr effectively and is readily disintegrated by the caustic electrolyte. It is thus removed from the active surfaces when its retaining function is no longer required, and does not result in an increase in the internal resistance of the cell. i

The advantages derived from the presence of wood extractives in caustic electrolyte are described in an application Serial No. 619,464. filed. on February 16. 1.923. by

A convenient method of the like retains the de-' George VI. Heise. Comparable advantages are obtained, according to the present invention, as an incident of the process of closing the container perforations with wood of suitable character.

It is within the scope of the invention to use as the closing means any suitable material which has an advantageous effect upon the cell.

e are aware that it has heretofore been proposed to prevent sifting of copper oxid depolarizer by applying an electrolyte-soluble material to the container. Our invention, as distinguished from such prior process, resides in the provision of advantageous closing means which have the further function of improving the service characteristics of the cell. Various modifications may be made. in the specilic procedures described herein for obtaining this dual advantage, and such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A depolarizer container adapted for immersion in electrolyte and comprising a wall having, perforations, and a material obstructing the perforations in said wall to prevent particles of depolarizer from passing therethrough and operative upon contact with the electrolyte to produce abenelicial effect upon the cell.

2. The invention according to claim 1, in which the material closing the perforations comprises comminuted wood. a

3. Process of preparing a perforated con tainer for reception of granular de-polariz ing material, comprising applying to the container a. material containing connninuted wood and thereby closing the perforations.

1. Process ofassembling a galvanic cell of the type having a caustic electrolyte and a granular depolariz'er retained within a perforated container, comprising closing the perforations of the container with a material capable of being acted upon by the electrolyte to produce a beneficial effect upon the cell, placing the depolarizer in the contain-er wherein it may remain without loss during the period of handling and storage, and immersing the container in the caustic electrolyte when the cell is desired forservice, whereby the beneficial effect is produced. V

In testimony whereof, we affix our signatures. i v

EEORGE \V. HEISE. RAYMOND C. BENNER 

